Salaa’mun. If you value the solaa’t as the prayer, what would say about dua’/da’a? If you say solaa’t is prayer, what would you say about solla or solli in the form of a verb of the noun solaa’t as that takes place in Q. 33:43 and 33:56 when God HIMSELF confirms being engaged in solaa’t? So, can we say God also in prayer?
Q:
Salam, if we must translate it into English, Dua is prayer, Al-Salat as opposed to simply salat, is the Lord’s prayer. And salat depends on the context, God bless
Ans:
Salaa’mun. So, if we value Dua is as prayer, then the same word (prayer) for solaa’t/al-solaa’t seems unbefitting. الصلاة – Al/The Solaa’t with a definite article [أداة التعريف (Ada’t-ul-ta’rieef)]. صلاة – Solaa’t – not definite. Thus, if the solaa’t ( الصلاة al+solaa’t) to regard as Lord’s prayer, what about صلاة mean? Even, could you also give reference to a verse with الصلاة in what God tells that الصلاة is the Lord’s prayer? Where is the phrase al-soaa’t al Rabba-niyya (الصلاة الربانية) found in the Quran? l On the contrary, is not the Lord’s prayer a Christain concept or mode of worship? Even, what about the verb sollu/solli of the noun solaa’t as in Q, 33:43 & 33:56?On the contrary, taking دُعَآءِ/Dua as prayer and الصلاة as the Lord’s prayer seems subjectively arbitrary meaning as if putting a leg in a hand glove unless the prayer in Dua and prayer in الصلاة are clarified according to the evidence (see: Q. 2:111) from Kala’m-Allah.On the other hand, to value Dua/دُعَآءِ as prayer, again, seems unbefitting according to the following observation:The word Da-a’ (دَغاَ) or Dua’ (دُعَآءِ) or Da’-wa (دَغْوَ) are used fundamentally as a form and expression of communication between human to human to invite (see: Q.24:63) or call (see: Q. 8:24) – and/or between human and God to call upon HIM (see: Q. 40:60) or God to call the human (Q. 14:44, 30:25). A servant of God calls upon God solely to seek HIS help, HIS mercy, HIS favour and so on (see: Q. 1:4). Such call or urge may also be a supplication once it is so intense and relentless in calling or asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly to the Supreme Power – the Almighty, the Creator. This supplication may even be an emotional appeal or petition (see: Q. 14:39) when one earnestly begs in tears for something to get, achieve, or attain from God Almighty.
Q:
Salam, I did start out by saying if we must translate 
So it’s Arabic’s fault that English language is limited in terms of how we communicate with God? The Lord Prayer as you know is not just another Prayer. While Prayer is a much more free style and open way of calling upon God the Lord Prayer is more structured and is restricted to certain times and occasions. Just like Al-Salat is.I feel running to verses where Al-Salat as a term is not mentioned to justify alternate meaning is a bit of a misdirection. It is logical to first plot the alternate meaning in the 66 verses where it is found and if one manages to make it work without introducing contradictions and/or linguistic blunders, one can then move on to other verses.
Ans:
Salaa’mun. I find the issue concerning the ritual & rites as apocryphally believed being given in the Quran is one the most causes that still is hindering the Quran alone submitters to God to get unity in the core value of God’s revelation.In view of that, I have been working on a study to respond in detail, challenging the apocryphal practice and perception of the term solaa’t/solla/solli/solawa’t and al-solaa’t as found in the 99 verses of the Quran in various derivatives. God willing, the following proposed study is going to be published as soon as possible in a book as titled called:—————————————————————–‘SOLAA’T-&-SUJU’D’IN DETAIL & IN DISTINCTION
Ritual in Physical Prostration?– Or –Following God Closely in Devout Submission?—————————————————————–Once God allows such publication to take place, I will send you a pdf copy for your wise observation.
Q:
The wording of the Quran makes it clear that the rituals are for us not God, that is if one must insist on calling it that. Irrespective, we directly benefit from this behavior change methodology. Besides, our lives are full of rituals some good others bad. In most part they are beneficial. Allow me to post from my write-up: “That brings us to the real issue of behavior change. Behavior change and that too of a fundamental nature must start with individuals. It is easy to rile up a crowd in a negative way but to establish and implement good needs behavior change on an individual level. This is important because in order to bring about change in a community we need influencers; we need role models. The commercial types have nailed this to the wall. They spend real money to get the services of influencers. In order to implement a new social order, we need individuals from whom everything good and proper literally drips. People flock to genuinely good people. Genuinely good people leading disciplined lives are in a best position to implement good change. What is the best strategy to bring about changes amass but focused on an individual? The first element that must be identified and agreed upon is the Change Method. Mindful meditation as a change method is in itself a powerful tool for self-growth. And when mindful meditation is based on specific Divine instructions it becomes a force multiplier. Not only does meditation develop all the various faculties but it also establishes regular communication with God. The practice of meditation can be found in almost all cultures. Modern thinking had been suspicious of the practices and till recently altogether dismissed it as a pseudo mumbo-jumbo. The crazy part in all this was, and still lingers on, is that even when practitioners swear by it, the skeptics stick to their guns. Dozens of scientific studies have put the matter to rest. Not only does mindful meditation alter behavior but studies have shown it alters the physiology of the brain towards good. Not surprising then that it was a matter of time before it was introduced into mainstream medicine. Mindful meditation in all its forms is about doing something as opposed to talking about it. This is consistent with all successful behavior change techniques. Habit forming acts helps change behavior and prolonged behavior change processes results in change in attitudes. Eventually leading to a desired character. Al-Salat is an ideal Change Method, one of the most fundamental elements of the behavior change theory. Instead of dishing the Al-Salat, when done in a mindful manner, first, ask the people who are engaged in it. It is a simple process, ask them if it helps them become closer to God and prevents them from immoralities. God in fact, warns us about empty ritual as already stated, God does not dismiss rituals as such. The message of the Quran is focused on individuals. We will be judged solely on what we did or did not do individually. God does not even force us to change a chaotic hopeless community, God actually makes it mandatory on those with means to extract themselves from such communities. To blame those engaged in self-improvement on all the ills of the world is a strange position.”
Ans:
Salaamun. Thank you for your observation based on your mental exercise to find God close by deploying the so-called mindful meditation, with which I find neither God nor HIS Kala’m in the Quran are corroborated. However, I respect your Sufi-istic endeavor to get closure to God using your own mental faculty, which I find subjective to you and those who also do the same. I however opt-out to be stuck by the core messages of God’s Kita’b as explained in the Quran and quote as follows:[Q. 17:84] “Say, “Everyone acts in his own style. So, your Lord knows best which one is better guided in his way.”قُلْ كُلٌّ يَعْمَلُ عَلَىٰ شَاكِلَتِهِۦ فَرَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ هُوَ أَهْدَىٰ سَبِيلًاPeace to be fallen on you
Q:
I am glad you quoted Quran 17:84.Here is the full context:17:78 Establish the prayer, at the decline (of) the sun till (the) darkness (of) the night and Quran at dawn, indeed, the Quran (at) the dawn is ever witnessed.17:79 And from the night arise from sleep for prayer with it (as) additional for you; it may be that will raise you your Lord (to) a station praiseworthy.17:80 And say, “My Lord! Cause me to enter an entrance sound, and cause me to an exit sound and make for me from near You an authority helping.”17:81 And say, “Has come the truth and perished the falsehood. Indeed, the falsehood is (bound) to perish.”17:82 And We reveal from the Quran that it (is) a healing and a mercy for the believers, but not it increases the wrongdoers except (in) loss.17:83 And when We bestow favor on man he turns away and becomes remote on his side. And when touches him the evil he is (in) despair.17:84 Say, “Each works on his manner, but your Lord (is) most knowing of who [he] (is) best guided (in) way.”17:85 And they ask you concerning the soul. Say, “The soul (is) of (the) affair (of) my Lord. And not you have been given of the knowledge except a little.”17:86 And if We willed, We (would) have surely taken away that which We have revealed to you. Then not you would find for you concerning it against Us any advocate, There is nothing “Sufi-istic” about my ideas. Any part resembling it may be purely coincidental. I stay very close to the word of God and try my best not to ignore His Guidelines of interpretations, unsurprisingly embedded in the Quran itself. God bless
Ans:
True meaning of [Q. 17:80-81]
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَدْخِلْنِى مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَأَخْرِجْنِى مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَٱجْعَل لِّى مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلْطَـٰنًا نَّصِيرًا — وَقُلْ جَآءَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ ٱلْبَـٰطِلُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْبَـٰطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًا
” And say , “My Lord, let me enter through an entry of truth and let me exit through an exit of truth and grant me from YOU a supporting authority. And say, “Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed falsehood is bound to depart.”